Armed with Christ

Introduction

Being armed with Christ:

A. Choose suffering over sin

B. Choose Christ over men

C. Choose to glorify God by your conduct

D. Choose to glorify God through your gifts

I. Choose Suffering Over Sin (vv. 1-3)

A. V. 1

Arm yourselves with the same mind means to be convinced it is better to do right and suffer for it than to do wrong

We must understand ‘suffering’ in light of Peter’s letter:

1 Peter 3:17 NASB95

17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

‘Suffering’ in this context is ‘unjust suffering’

: ‘Why would I choose to suffer simply because Christ suffered?

Answer: Because those who choose to do what is right, who suffer for that choice, and resolve to obey God despite suffering recognize they have been released from the power of sin.

Ceased from sin does not mean that you are perfect or sinless.

1 John 1:8 NASB95

8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Rather, it means you act in a way which demonstrates obeying God, not avoiding hardship, is the ultimate motivation for your actions.

B. V. 2

Live the rest of his time in the flesh means the rest of our life here on earth

When a person becomes a Christian, it means they are resolving to, from that point on, to live not by human feelings and emotions, but by the will of God.

Peter is saying that unjust suffering purifies the believer

Any genuine conversion to Christ involves initial repentance, but Peter is saying that unjust suffering ushers an even greater commitment to, and dependence upon, Christ than the initial conversion experience.

I want to be clear here: Peter is not saying that every Christian will undergo the same level of intensity or suffering.

Christians all around the world undergo various levels of unjust suffering:

China:

In recent years, hundreds of churches in China have been forced to close. Pastors and missionaries have been arrested for the distribution of Bibles. Many of the foreign missionaries have now been removed from the country.

More than 170 million facial recognition cameras have been installed across the country, many in or near churches, to identify those who attend services.

In general, the farther Christians are from Beijing, the safer Christians are.

Afghanistan:

99.8% of individuals in Afghanistan are Muslim.

Afghan Christians cannot worship openly. Evangelism is forbidden. Beatings, tortures, and kidnappings are frequent occurrences for Christians.

Christian converts are often killed by family members or other radicalized groups before any legal proceedings can take place, though local and national governments are highly antagonistic of Christians.

Southern Mexico:

Christians in Southern Mexico are often rejected by the community and forced from their villages or homes. Many lose their jobs, inheritances, or land because of their faithful commitment to Christ.

C. V. 3

Let your previous life of sin be completely sufficient. As a Christian, no longer live with a desire to live as the Gentiles do. Your life of pursuing the lusts of men is enough.

The will of the Gentiles means the lifestyle of non-Christians:

Lewdness/Licentiousness: living without any regard for moral constraint

Lusts/Passions: sinful desires which have strong influence on your actions

Drunkenness

Revels: banquets or feasts given to wild immorality

Drinking parties

Lawless idolatry: does not simply mean against God’s law, for all idolatry is against God’s law. This implies a particular kind of idol worship which incites people to immorality even forbidden by the laws of human governments.

E.g. Abortion - The secular sacrament of self-advancement which requires the murder of a human being.

1 Corinthians 10:20 NASB95

20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons.

Maybe you read Peter’s list and say you are good in all those areas of sin. I challenge you then with one of my favorite quotes:

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

II. Choose Christ Over Men (vv. 4-6)

A. Vv. 4-6

Before you became a Christian, your life was characterized by the same ungodly behavior as non-Christians.

Now, those same individuals cannot understand why you no longer live in the same way. They either think you are weird, or strange, or are appalled by your new lifestyle.

The ‘surprise’ of unbelievers is testament to the fact that Peter’s audience was both Jewish and Gentile, for God-fearing Jews would not be surprised at the lifestyle change.

So, they speak evil of you

Peter is speaking of verbal abuse. He is speaking of slander or defamation or the destruction of a person’s reputation.

In America, this is largely the extent of the unjust suffering we currently experience.

But unbelievers will not escape judgement for their actions, even though it may appear they do in this life. Ultimately, God stands as Judge.

For this reason the Gospel was preached to those who are dead once again does not indicate that those who have died are given a second chance. Rather, Peter is saying even though everyone will ultimately die, those who accept the Gospel message of Christ stand no fear of condemnation in their judgment at the throne. It was for those Christians who have since died that the Gospel was preached.

Romans 14:11–12 NASB95

11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

Standing trial before the Judge - A blood soaked piece of evidence which testifies that we no longer stand in condemnation of sin.

III. Choose to Glorify God by Your Conduct (vv. 7-8)

A. V. 7

The end of all things is at hand means that we are living in the last days. The major components of God’s redemptive plan (i.e. Christ’s coming, death, and resurrection) have been completed and the stage has been set for Christ’s rule and reign.

THEREFORE:

Be serious and watchful (having a sound mind that maturely and accurately measures each situation) for your prayers.

It means you are not prone to rash actions by emotions nor by indifference. A balanced mind.

It means this: keep your mind focused on Christ so that you may better discern situations and thereby pray for them more effectively.

B. V. 8

Have fervent love for one another

In other words, as Peter has already mentioned, love one another earnestly.

Why?

Because love will cover a multitude of sins

In other words, a deep and fervent love makes it easier to forgive.

Proverbs 10:12 NASB95

12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.

We could apply this statement broadly to God’s love, which is certainly true. But Peter is speaking more specifically of Christians. If Christians would learn to better love one another, they would be prone to more easily forgive one another and thereby maintain the fellowship which is so vital to the Christian life.

Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, many small offenses, even some large ones, are readily overlooked and forgotten. But where love is lacking, every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts abound.

IV. Choose to Glorify God Through Your Gifts (vv. 9-11)

A. V. 9-10

Be hospitable

The early Church would not have survived without hospitality. Missionaries required places to stay, often in the houses of nameless Christians who made the work of your New Testament possible.

Not only did missionaries require it, the Church itself needed it. For 200 years there was no such thing as a church building, so Christians would gather together in various homes devoting themselves to worship and prayer.

Hospitality is also stressed all throughout the New Testament:

In Romans 12:13, Paul says Christians are to practice hospitality.

In 1 Timothy 3:2, Paul says pastors and church leaders are to be hospitable. In Titus 1:8 he says pastors and church leaders are to be lovers of hospitality.

In 1 Timothy 5:10, Paul views highly women in the church who have been hospitable to strangers.

Hebrews 13:2 instructs Christians to not neglect hospitality, for some have even entertained angels unawares.

Finally, Jesus will say to those on His right:

Matthew 25:35 NASB95

35 ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

And to those on His left, He will say:

Matthew 25:43 NASB95

43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’

Without grumbling

Do not be prone to complaining about those who need your accommodation. Hospitality is a service and a gift from God which brings Him great glory.

As each one has received a gift

‘Each’ implies that every Christian has received at least one gift.

‘Gift’ is the Greek word charisma meaning “any talent or ability which is empowered by the Holy Spirit and able to be used in ministry of the church.

There are five different lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament. Every list is different, so it is legitimate to conclude they are not exhaustive.

As each one has received … minister to one another

You were given the gifts freely by God, therefore give of them freely for the building and edification of the Church

As good stewards

A steward in the ancient world might have been a slave, but his master had entrusted him with his goods. He understood nothing he was in control over belonged to him, but he answered to his master and it was in his masters interests that he was to serve.

B. V. 11

If anyone speaks

This includes all kinds of gifts that involve speaking activity: preaching, teaching, evangelizing, prophesying, testimony, and even singing praise.

As the oracles of God

This does not mean every word a Christian utters should be treated as the word of God. Only Scripture can claim that title. It rather means ‘with the seriousness of purpose as if one were speaking on behalf of God.’

If anyone ministers

Any Christian service or ministry in or outside the church

Let him do it with the ability which God supplies

In other words, rely firmly on God to supply you with the means to minister with the gifts He has given you. Relying on your own strength is a futile endeavor, and many a Christian who has tried will affirm you will not get far. Our gifts, talents, and ability to use them come solely from God.

That in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ

While Peter is primarily speaking to those within Christian fellowship here (the Church), it is evident that this choice of living among unbelievers flows outward into ordinary life, that in all things Christ may be glorified.

V. Conclusion